County Antrim boys retain SuperCupNI Junior crown

County Antrim captain Cameron Stewart celebrates with team-mates after beating Manchester United on penalties in today's Final at the Showgrounds in Ballymena. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Keith Bailie

Published:20:49Friday 27 July 2018

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County Antrim retained the SuperCupNI Junior trophy thanks to a dramatic penalty shoot-out win at the Ballymena Showgrounds over Manchester United.

Young goalkeeper Connor Friel went from villain to hero in the space of a few minutes. With Antrim leading 1-0, he made an error to allow Will Fish to equalise for United with just two minutes left on the clock.

Friel turned things around moments later, making a vital save in the shoot-out from Owen Dodgson. Caolan McBride secured the SuperCupNI for his county, scoring the final penalty of the shoot-out.

Long-serving Antrim boss Stefan Seaton said, “God love Connor. He took three steps forward when he didn’t have too and the United lad caught him out.

“I went over to him at full-time and said, ‘you’re an eejit but just forget about it.’

“And so he did, because his penalty save was excellent.

“All the boys deserve credit. I knew they weren’t going to freeze because they’re such good lads.”

Seaton hopes his Antrim players using this SuperCupNI success as a springboard to greater things in football.

“I’m delighted that we’ve won the tournament but there’s a bigger picture for us. I hope these boys now push on and get contracts in England or Scotland.

“We have boys on trial with Celtic, Rangers, Liverpool, Leicester and others. Hopefully playing in this final will give them a taste of what it’s like to be a professional and what it’s like to play in front of crowds.

“The game itself was even steven. A draw was a fair result. I was pleased with our goal and pleased with our performance.”

Midfielder Charlie Allen thought he’d won the game with a fine goal four minutes from time. He took advantage of some hesitant defending from United, bursting into the area and place a low shot beyond the reach of Joe Lawton. It was a composed finish from Allen, who showed experience beyond his tender years.

However, United’s Will Fish equalised two minutes later. He hoisted a long free-kick into the area, that goalkeeper Connor Friel was unable to deal. with. The over-hit free-kick slipped through the hands of the young goalkeeper.